A Las Vegas tax preparer is facing the music after pleading guilty to the creation of false tax returns for clients, a scheme that resulted in significant tax loss for the Internal Revenue Service. Keisy Altagracia Sosa, the operator behind National Tax Service in Las Vegas, admitted in court to a practice of including fabricated deductions and non-existent dependents on client returns from 2016 to 2021, with the tax loss tallying up to at least $550,000, as reported by the Department of Justice.
The investigation revealed Sosa’s blatant disregard for IRS rules, despite repeated warnings, Sosa continued drafting false returns, ignoring several notices from the IRS that flagged the inaccuracies in the filings, and the IRS conveyed to her the importance of due diligence obligations for tax preparers, reminders that seemed to fall on deaf ears as she persisted in her fraudulent activities. Sosa's guilty plea to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return now catapults her toward a potential three-year incarceration term set for decision on June 11, by Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon, with additional penalties also looming.
Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick for the IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office, alongside Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada, announced the outcome of the case, which stemmed from diligent work performed by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Tony Lopez and Benjamin Shiver were noted for their roles in prosecuting the case against Sosa.
The IRS is warning taxpayers about dishonest tax preparers who promise unusually large refunds, which can lead clients into criminal activity. To protect themselves, taxpayers should verify their tax returns before filing.
